SCHOOLS in Worcestershire were today praised by council chiefs for their success in curbing the number of truants and getting pupils back in the classroom.

SCHOOLS in Worcestershire were today praised by council chiefs for their success in curbing the number of truants and getting pupils back in the classroom.

Schools across the county have adopted a get-tough policy on pupils missing lessons which has seen Worcestershire buck the national trend of rising truancy figures.

The Department for Education and Skills said head teachers in the county had been cracking down on children who miss school.

The county council's education welfare officers have also been working with schools in a concerted effort to stamp out weak excuses.

Chris Golbourn, council social inclusion manager, said: "Head teachers deserve full praise for cracking down on absence as it can reflect badly on the school.

"In the long-term they will reap the benefits as this sends out a clear message to parents that weak excuses for absence will not be tolerated."

Worcestershire County Council and West Mercia Police regularly join forces to hold truancy sweeps to challenge school-aged children as to why they are not in class.

They discover parents have deemed the children too sick to go to school but well enough to go shopping.

Mr Golbourn added: "A tough stance helps us operate a robust education welfare service because when heads authorise absence for serial truants, it weakens our statutory powers to ensure they attend school on a regular basis.

"Even missing half a day can have a significant impact on pupils' achievement. Our children should not miss out on the education they deserve."